Cops: “Electronic Pickpocket” Allows Thieves To Steal Secure Info

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. — City police say they’ve learned criminals can swipe information on a credit card account without ever touching or even seeing the card.

Thieves have found a way to take advantage the new Radio Frequency identification technology found on new credit cards and passports which was added to allow users option to tap rather than swipe. The police chief calls it electronic pickpocketing.

By getting within two or three feet of a purse or wallet, thieves can use a credit card reading device to steal personal bank information. It’s a device that any thief can buy on the Internet.

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There is something you can do to protect your card: put aluminum foil around it. That will keep the radio frequency from being transmitted. If you don’t like that idea, a few online retailers sell special purses and wallets that are lined with foil but look more attractive.